CARROLL SHELBY FOUNDATION DONATES $25,000 TO TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOR VICTIMS OF HURRICANE HARVEY
The Carroll Shelby Foundation created and sold a special T-shirt to benefit children in Houston impacted by the recent hurricane
The $25,000 gift is going to the Harvey Resiliency and Recovery Program at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston
The money will serve the mental health needs of children suffering from the hurricane and flooding
GARDENA, Calif. – Nov. 16, 2017 – The Carroll Shelby Foundation donated $25,000 to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston to help children suffering from Hurricane Harvey. The money, which was raised through the sale of a limited-edition T-shirt, will support the hospital's Harvey Resiliency and Recovery Program as part of their Trauma and Grief Center.
"Hurricane Harvey wreaked heartbreaking havoc in the Houston area," said Aaron Shelby, Co-President of the Carroll Shelby Foundation. "While Texans are a tough bunch, we wanted to accelerate hurricane recovery for children impacted by this tragedy. Our team created a limited-edition 'Shelby Texas Strong' shirt inspired by the resilient spirit of my grandfather, Carroll Shelby. All proceeds from the sale of these shirts will go to the Harvey Resiliency and Recovery Program at Texas Children's Hospital to support the most vulnerable pediatric populations."
The Harvey Resiliency and Recovery Program was designed to serve the mental health needs of children impacted by the recent hurricane and flooding. According to experts, children can face significant mental, emotional and physical consequences after a major disaster. Children who live in poverty are often more affected by crises such as hurricanes, as trauma experienced from a storm can exacerbate existing stress and the cumulative effects of challenges. According to a 2016 Dallas News analysis, about 26 percent of the more than 1 million children who live in Harris County, where Houston sits, live below the poverty line.
"Carroll Shelby initially created the foundation to benefit children awaiting an organ transplant soon after his own such operation," said Neil Cummings, Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International, CEO of Carroll Shelby Licensing, and Co-President of the Carroll Shelby Foundation. "Over the years, the scope of the charity has expanded to support families and children in many different ways. This gift, which follows on the recent $10,000 donation to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, continues Carroll's vision of helping kids win the race for life."
Texas Children's Hospital is a not-for-profit health care organization committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community through patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children's hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children's has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women's health.
"Using evidence-based assessments and interventions, as well as providing trauma-informed training to mental health professionals and teachers in impacted communities, we hope to more quickly recognize and address the needs of children who are at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder and related psychological difficulties," said Dr. Julie Kaplow, director of both the Trauma and Grief Center and Harvey Resiliency and Recovery Program at Texas Children's, and associate professor of pediatrics in the section of psychology at Baylor College of Medicine. "Surviving a disaster can be distressing for anyone, but youth who have already been exposed to trauma, traumatic loss and/or severe adversity are at particularly high risk for severe persisting stress and may need the support of a mental health professional. The new Harvey Resiliency and Recovery Program will connect our experts to these children and we are grateful to the Carroll Shelby Foundation for helping us reach even more youth in need of our expertise."
The donation was allocated to the hospital on Oct. 1, 2017.
About The Carroll Shelby Foundation
The Carroll Shelby Foundation was created by legendary racer and automotive manufacturer Carroll Shelby. Headquartered in Gardena, Calif., the Foundation is dedicated to providing medical assistance for those in need, including children, educational opportunities for young people through automotive and other training programs and benefitting the Shelby Automotive Museum. For more information visit http://www.shelby.com.